Question from Reenie

Hi all, I do green cleaning at a home where they are remodeling one bedroom. They’ve torn up the particle board that was under the rug they also tore up. They are doing oak flooring. The homeowner mentioned to his little boy about have a big fire to burn the old particle board. I spoke with him after about the old p. board outgassing toxins, like formaldehyde and the glue that was holding the wood pieces together. He said it should be safe since the wood is so degraded. Does anyone have any suggestions for what research I can locate and share with him about burning particleboard in a residenitial neighborhood. Really I was very surprised since this person works for a state department that deals with haz waste. Allowing his 3 boys being around the fire, exposed to and inhaling this stuff, doesn’t seem right. Any comments/suggestions are appreciated!

Debra’s Answer

Here’s what the EPA has to say: “Never burn ocean driftwood, plywood, particle board, or any wood with glue on or in it. They all release toxic chemicals when burned.”

That said, your homeowner has a point too. If the particleboard is very old and outgassed, it would produce fewer toxic chemicals when burned than new particleboard.

And keep in mind that even untreated plain seasoned firewood produced toxic substances when burned.

Question from HG

Debra,

In reading your blog I have now learned about the toxocity of formaldehyde in particle board furniture. As a result I have been trying to identify which pieces of furniture in my apartment contain particle board. I have identified the TV stand in my bedroom as a definite (while our desk and entry way table are also possibilities). I am going to get rid of the TV stand at the very least, especially since we bought it for only $150 on overstock.com. I am interested in replacing it with an inexpensive TV stand since we likely won’t even be keeping the TV for many more years. I have looked online at target and overstock and I am trying to find an inexpensive yet less toxic alternative… I don’t want to replace one carcinogen with another! I have seen multiple cheap TV stands that say they are made of polished tempered safety glass and powder-coated steel with scratch-resistant legs. Do you have any thoughts on the relative safety of the cheap furniture materials or a suggestion for a non-toxic and relatively inexpensive TV stand I could find?

Thank you, I love your website!

Debra’s Answer

Tempered safety glass and powder-coated steel are nontoxic materials that would be safe for health to use.

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Question from lori

I’m wondering if anyone has thought “outside the box” about sofas. Ours will need to be replaced in another year or two, but I haven’t found anything that is eco- and MCS-friendly, much less looks good. Perhaps others have found other comfortable seating solutions that work… the only idea I have is a friend in a tiny Boston apartment who had a daybed that was used as the couch during the day…

Thanks!

Debra’s Answer

Readers?

My parents used to have a “modern” sofa that had sectional pieces. The frame was metal with seats and backs made from black cotton canvas, and big pillows place on top. When I first had MCS, I took a few pieces of their sofa and replace the synthetic pillows with pillows I made from natural-color cotton canvas stuffed with organic cotton. This worked very well.

Now, as I’ve said elsewhere, I have a regular sofa that I bought used for the frame and had it reupholstered with 100% linen fabric. This has been about fifteen years now and it still looks like new.

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Question from KJ

I have a question about bathroom vanity. I am looking to replace them, but where can I find solid wood, non-off-gassing vanities at reasonable price? I live in Tampa and am willing to drive over to Pinellas County. Do you have specific place you recommend in the area? Every place I have been has “solid wood” but with plywood.

Thanks.

Debra’s Answer

You need to go to an unfinished furniture store, which is where they sell solid wood cabinets. Cabinets stores and home improvement stores do not usually sell solid wood vanities.

We bought a solid wood vanity at Barewood Outlet, on US 19 near Countryside Mall in Clearwater. They have a website, where I found a catalog for unfinished solid wood vanities . They also have unfinished solid wood kitchen cabinets. These are pages from the manufacturer’s website, which also has a store locator and customer service number.

Note that these are unfinished, so you need to apply the finish yourself. They are not prefinished like the cabinets you buy at a home improvement store.

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Question from Janice

Hi-

I just found your website and hope you can help. I’ve been living with chemical sensitivity for a long time now after being poisoned by Dursban applied for termites in my home. Any-way, trying to buy conventional upholstered furniture hasn’t worked out. We badly need a new sofa and even though organic sofas are very expensive I’m willing to maske the investment if it will last many years. Any advice on specific brands and materials? It seems they all have natural latex in them now. Could this be problematic for me? I have smelled it and didn’t like the smell although if it’s encased it might not be a problem. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

Debra’s Answer

Personally, I wouldn’t buy a sofa with latex cushions as the odor is too strong for me, but that’s my individual preference.

I had old-fashioned innerspring cushions made for my sofa and it is stuffed with cotton and wool. i had it custom made by a local upholsterer so I could have complete control over all the materials.

I don’t have any personal experience with the online sofa makers. Readers, what is your experience?

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Question from HG

Debra,

I have a set of high quality stainless steel cookware. I only recently learned that putting hot cookware in water soon after cooking can cause the pots and pans to warp. While possible warping is only really noticeable on one piece, I know that all of my pieces have been exposed to possible slight warping. My question is whether this warping may alter the health safety of using my stainless steel cookware. If this just alters the heating capabilities of my pots and pans then I am not inclined to spend the money to replace the set, but if there are any health safety concerns associated with using possibly slightly warped stainless steel cookware then I will be willing to buy new pieces.

Thank you!

Debra’s Answer

I don’t know if warping causes stainless steel to release more metals than it already does. If you replace it, please don’t buy another set of stainless steel.

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Question from Wanda K

Hello…

I love reading your Q&As….

I have a question thats been bothering me…

My husband wants to use some kind of weed and feed which I am sure is loaded with chemicals on our lawn. We dont have a large yard, its about 1/2 acre… I explained to him, that its not a good idea because the chemicals seep into the ground and will wind up in our well water and then we drink it. We do have filters in the house but nothing fancy.. Like reverse osmosis or anything like that.

Well imagine my surprise when he told me our neighbors used some company and had their yard chemically treated… I know I cant go around telling my neighbors what to do, but it bugs me.

Does it make sense that we are ‘green’ while our neighbors are not? I am sure we are all tapping from the same underground water source. Any suggestions?

Debra’s Answer

Yes, it makes sense for you to be green even if your neighbors are not. Here’s why: Giant oaks from little acorns grow.

Everything begins with a seed of an idea. And then it’s done in a small way. And then other people look and see and say, “I can do that!” because someone has set an example. And then the whole world is transformed.

Keep being green. And it doesn’t hurt to talk with your neighbors in a friendly way. Often people want to change but don’t know what to do.

Here in Clearwater, Florida, where I live, we have had a group for the last six months focused on getting more backyard local food production going. We share information, visit each other’s gardens, help each other. And now, gardens are really catching on. Lots of people want to grow organic food and are looking to us for information.

So just get started yourself and talk to people you know. You’ll be surprised how interested people will be in green things they can do.

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Question from Jennifer

How many of you have signed the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics?

Just because something says “ORGANIC” does not mean it is safe. The Bush admistration watered down how much has to be Organic to be called Organic. Only less than half the product has to be organic in my state of California. SO what is the other half then?

Also when you are entering into the Skindeep.com data base look to see which companies have signed the “Campaign forsafecosmetics”.I will tell you that I am very proud of myself for recently calling Neutragena and asking why they pay the AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY to have their logo on their product when their product has over twelve different kinds of cancer causing toxins.The ACS does not endorse any specific product. Neutragena could not give me answer. I will not buy there products at all or Trader Joe’s.

I try to buy from local family owned businesses. NOT CORPORATE POISONS. I don’t want lead in make-up or my childs toys anymore China. Thanks girls and Have beautiful day cause we are all beautiful without make-up too! Peace and Awareness Jennifer

Debra’s Answer

Here’s the link: Campaign for Safe Cosmetics.

There is TONS of information on this website about the dangerous chemicals in cosmetic products, but no listings of safe products. For the safe products, see Debra’s List: Body Care.

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Question from Jan harris

I am going to wash all the walls in our house to get rid of possible mold spores. I can’t use any soap or other material that has a smell. Will grapefruit seed extract in water be strong enough to clean the walls?

Will it leave an odor?

What would you suggest that I can use?

THANKS

Debra’s Answer

Readers? Your experience with this?

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Question from Barbara

How do I eliminate mold coming from my car’s air conditioner. I’m extremely chemically sensitive and allergic to the mold. I need a very gentle safe product to put in there. thanks! Barbara

Debra’s Answer

Readers, your suggestions?

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